#ME TOO

In the past one week I have noticed that most of my friends have posted #Me too on Facebook.

At first I was confused and wondered in what context was ‘Me too’ referred. Then realization dawned on me that this was a rally against sexual harassment and I was aghast to know that we all have been harassed at some point in our life or throughout our lives.

Why?  Will women always be harassed?

Will #Me Too in the virtual world change anything in the real world?

In a world where we come to face with such demons who will caress your behind in a crowded bus or grope you inappropriately in a crowded train;

Or those ghouls who will stare at your breasts instead of your eyes whilst having a conversation making us feel utmost discomfiture at your workplace;

Or who will pass lewd remarks at you inspite of being covered in cloth from head to toe;

Or those who will dance uncomfortably close to you at an office party

Or when a middle aged man with college going kids abuse you on a Sunday afternoon and leave you scarred for a major part of your life

This is a never ending list…..women are harassed in some form or the other, whether we walk on the road or at the railway platform or at the workplace or by some neighbor, relative or family member.

Do we ask for it? As some nincompoops would say “Oh they didn’t dress appropriately, hence they invite trouble.” But is that the only reason? No, clothing has nothing to do with it, because a burkha clad woman too is harassed too.

The harasser or the abuser will have many victims to his name but he will lead a life of normalcy. He is not ostracized or taken to task. Unfortunately it’s us women. We are blamed….don’t ask me how the table turns on us …..but, yes it does.

So should we continue to take this harassment or shut up and bear it?

What do we do? Is there any solution to this problem which is not only faced by women in India but to a milder extent in other parts of the world too?

So if a guy stares at our breasts while talking to him, do we stare at his crotch too and make him feel uncomfortable or just flick his nose and say, “My eyes are on my face!”

If someone tries to grope us, shouldn’t we just twist his arm and shout at him in public rather than grin and bear it.

If someone forces himself on us should we cut off his penis or Bobbitise him?

But what about innocent children what do they do when they are abused by such pedophiles ? They are helpless. It is stomach churning when you hear that 9 month old babies or a 3 year old child are sexually abused.

When will this end?

Schools should have educational programmes for boys on sexual harassment to make them understand the severity of the issue and the issues women face. Parents should educate their sons too on sexual harassment. Maybe education on harassment at an early age may help. Maybe treatment meted out to women in future would be better. I am being optimistic.

Will  a #ME TOO end this never ending issue worldwide?

Why can’t the men write # WE WON’T.

We won’t disrespect women.

We won’t stare at their breasts.

We won’t eve tease

We won’t touch them inappropriately.

We won’t force ourselves on women.

Maybe then we will live in an equal world and we women can say # We Too.